Coral bleaching occurs when water temperatures in the reef are too hot or too cold for corals. They expel all the algae the corals feed off of and the corals turn white. Corals can survive bleaching events, but they do have higher mortality rates during them.

But some scientists aren't convinced the plan will work. At best it could save a few patches of reef, at worst it might end up hurting the reef even more.

Scientists have concluded there's only one way to really and truly save the Great Barrier Reef and that's a reduction in global warming — and soon.

The new plan has been submitted to the Australian government but hasn't been approved yet. It would cost around $9 million Australian dollars.